Through a statement published on official channels, the U.S. company Lockheed Martin announced that it will integrate the new Patriot PAC-3 MSE surface-to-air missiles into the AEGIS combat systems of U.S. Navy (US Navy) destroyers, with the aim of strengthening their ability to defend against the growing threats of modern combat environments. According to the company, the missiles will become part of the arsenal available for the existing MK41 vertical launch systems (VLS) on Arleigh Burke-class ships, demonstrating the success of the work carried out to ensure their integration.
On this matter, Lockheed Martin IAMD Vice President and General Manager Jason Reynolds stated: “By integrating PAC-3 MSE capabilities into Aegis, the Navy is taking a decisive step to defend the U.S. fleet and our global interests against the most advanced threats. Lockheed Martin is driving the innovation behind this effort, combining advanced, combat-proven systems in new ways to accelerate capability development and deliver a decisive advantage in maritime defense.”
It is worth recalling in this regard that the U.S. Navy had previously indicated its intention to move forward with the use of Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles from its AEGIS-equipped ships, in the context of the Sea-Air-Space symposium organized by the Navy League. At that time, the institution noted that this could be applied to both its destroyers and cruisers, although integrating the missiles on the latter appears less feasible given that they are nearing the end of their service life, and whose modernization has already proven to be a failed program for the force, resulting in significant resource waste as not all the ships in which investments were made were able to complete the process.
From Lockheed Martin itself, the missiles had been promoted as an option to equip the U.S. Navy since 2023, highlighting that it is a weapon already produced in large quantities for the U.S. Army and that could be easily integrated into warships. This is not a minor point, considering that Washington recently advanced a critical program that will allow the company to continue increasing the number of missiles produced, which is expected to result in a record number of units manufactured per year.
Following this line, reports by specialized U.S. media indicate that after the signing of agreements within the framework of this program, Lockheed Martin would increase production from 600 to 2,000 Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles. In this regard, it is noted that the United States still needs to improve its solid rocket motor supply chain, which has already shown some shortcomings amid increased demand generated by recent combat in the Middle East and Ukraine. Nevertheless, in the fiscal year 2027 budget request, the U.S. Navy has already requested funds to add some 405 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to its inventory.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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